flame ryder

I have a rottweiler and a boxer. They are both highly intelligent and very trainable. We find that they both need slightly different training methods, the boxer is a total clown, if you choose a boxer you will always be entertained. The rotty is by far the better guard dog. Both are indoor dogs and yes the rotti sheds more but we don't care, just don't get white carpet or furnishings and you wont notice. We have also had german shepherds and they shed more, for this reason I'd never get another GS but they too are awesome smart dogs. There's a doberman who does training with us, again very smart, such a sweetheart but, apparently not a very good guard dog.

We bought our dogs cheap plastic squeaky toys. I wrapped them and put them under the tree with the human presents, Mojo our crestie did a bit of investigating and started to open one (I don't know how he figured out it was a dog present, maybe he heard the squeaker?) I scolded him and he stopped and left it alone, few hours later Royce our rottweiler finished opening it and claimed it for himself. It was so funny and cute we let him finish opening it. Took him less than 10 mins to break the squeaker. Santa will not be pleased.

Yeah I do like these :) thanks. I wonder how easy they are to put up and take down? I want something ultra easy as I'll have 3 of them. I have thought about getting them each their own camp chairs but the height off the ground makes them unsuitable, the rotti can't jump at all and the boxer jumps on them with such great exuberance that they tip over.

Does anyone know where I can buy folding dog beds? I have googled and found a few ones I like but they don't ship to Australia I want beds that can easily and quickly fold down, and that are light-weight to store in our motorhome. When we set up camp we get out our chairs and the dogs have to remain on the ground. They are not used to this. And yeah they are a bit spoilt

I think what you feed your dogs would have a lot to do with it(ie the speed that it breaks down). I have found that dogs fed only dry kibble type foods their poo takes much longer to break down. We just toss all our excess dog poo into the garden beds and hope the dung beetles take care of it...which is ok until one decides to do some weeding in a garden ones spouse just threw all the dog poop into

Interesting what Haredown Whippets says - "Fair question. I think the answer as to how much a breeder charges tends to be set by the market." Brings it back to my worry about the future cost of dogs in SA after the de-sex-all-dogs rule has been in place a few years. Hmmm

I'm embarrassed to be a South Australian with stupid rules like this. Seems to be overwhelming support of it on most FB sites today and last night. I totally get what some of them are saying, but to de-sex every dog except those of registered breeders seems a bit OTT. All these do-gooders are living in the present where yes pounds are full, lots of dogs are dumped and many end up getting put down. But if things go to plan and everybody follows the rules then think about the impacts in the future, the good old mutt may be a thing of the past, a rarity, a dog Nana used to have but we are no longer allowed that privilege. I'm sure alot of them would have been cheerfully typing away with a mutt or crossbreed sitting at their feet, did they for one minute stop to think where it came from? Probably not...and should they want one in the future they may have to illegally obtain one or drive over the border to bring one back. Ok now I'm all for buying from a registered breeder and now that I am more educated I prefer to do so...however I don't like being told I have to. How on earth will the registered breeders cope with the demand? Bad enough now trying to buy from a registered breeder, long waiting lists, they will only get longer. Then there's those who tell you if you want a dog go rescue an adult dog from the pound, or a greyhound. All well and good if you want to but I have been there done that and I prefer to buy a puppy - my choice. Things might get interesting too regarding the age of de-sexing. When I get a new pup (and I will as humans outlive many dogs) then no-ones going to tell me to de-sex my large breed dog young...bad enough I had to get my rotti done at 14 months because I wanted to trial him...but that was my choice. Anyway I'm going to stop ranting and raving but this has got me all fired up Lets wait and see how this pans out 10 years down the track. All those do-gooders will be complaining about how expensive dogs are to buy and you just can't get puppies anymore for the kiddies. Meanwhile there will still be plenty of cats...always will be

Ok so I just saw it on the news...so I guess it's true I have had many dogs over my lifetime, all of them different and wonderful in their each individual way, a lot of them were mutts or crossbreeds. Only 1 of them has been from a registered breeder. So looking at my 3 beautiful dogs sitting at my feet who I love dearly...if this rule had come in say 10 years ago, only 1 of my dogs would exist. I have never been without a dog. As we all know dogs live short lives compared to us. Then there are the accidents, snake bites and illnesses that all take them too soon. I have this sad vision of a future without dogs for some people...maybe even me. There are many questions... Would one need to add themselves to a very,very,very long waiting list from a breeder for a puppy? Would registered breeders then cash in on the supply=demand that would come with this forcing up the prices of dogs, so they may be out of reach financially for some people? Who decides what ages dogs need to be de-sexed? With the re-search I've done it seems to be better for the health of the dog (especially large breed males) to get it done after they turn 1 or even as old as 2 depending on who you talk to. For cats yeah...they wander, it's pretty hard to keep a cat contained. But dogs are pretty easy. Why should responsible dog owners pay the price for all those who are not!! ETA All my dogs except my first dog (30 years ago) has been de-sexed. I totally believe in having it done but making it mandatory is what bothers me.

Sooo yeah I just read this on someone's FB status. Can anyone confirm if this is indeed true or a load of tripe? Also for the record I do not agree with this, but I'd be interested to hear others views on this...

Saw this somewhere but can't remember where...made me laugh... guy says "I hate kids but I love puppies and I love women, if only women could produce puppies instead of producing baby humans they would be so much better"

We have a new dog park....it's great. So far all dogs have been friendly. But in the landscaping of the park they have used alot of pine bark. I find that when the dog poos it's really hard to find the poo to clean it up as it blends with the pine bark. There was one incident that I could not find my dogs poo amongst the pine bark even though I looked and looked. I guess I could have taken my shoes off and walked around on the bark....that would have worked for sure.

Yeah so both our freezers stopped working, due to the plug mysteriously being un-plugged. So we have 20 kilos of pet mince, and about the same of lamb, roasts, chops ect which would have fed us for a month or so I know we aren't supposed to re-freeze for humans but can we for dogs? If so least I know it wont go to waste...otherwise I'll have to bin most of it

My Chinese crested loves (or hates? I'm not quite sure) the daddy add on TV, he also likes (or hates?) the Whiskers cat food add (the one with the kitten running across the floor and talking like a human child). He goes right up to the TV and carries on, howling ect. I am not sure why he does this, if it's because he enjoys seeing those adds or doesn't like them. Either way it gives us all a good laugh. Does anyone else have dogs who have strange reactions to TV adds? If so which ones?

If i was traveling, on holiday, with my dogs and saw a market, if we noticed a sign that said no dogs then we'd keep on driving and not bother to stop and spend out money at that market. Their loss

In October I hope to trial my Rott and gain his title. OH also wants to gain his title with his boxer. he just needs one more pass. Secretly I'd like to beat his score of 96 in CD he got last at the last Easter trials

It's a nightmare when our dogs are sick, and you're right...only dog people truly understand. I have no advice but sending hugs and positive vibes. We are all here for you and hope things improve soon

I like horse lead ropes. Colourful and strong

Where is location? I may be interested too. In SA but we dont mind a road trip

Would depend on each individual rotti...but my rotti can't jump at all. He has trouble getting on the bed. He has always been this way. And no he is not overweight.

Love those beach pics. I just love to see dogs running free on the beach. Too many beaches don't allow dogs anymore which gives me the grumps. I can't wait to travel over WA way....one of these days

We have a boxer who loves kids. He just wants to play, their squeaky excited voices are what sets him off, and often the balls or toys they have. We know this and always leash him when at the beach or park when we get close to where the kids are playing. You did the right thing. If your dog knocks down a kid and they cry and get hurt you will be in all sorts of trouble. Not worth the risk

I do it all the time. The dogs arent dead yet. Although I must admit...more vegetables than fruit. I dunno about the lemons though, might give them a miss

If she isn't a chewer you could try some sort of bed that has the foam beans in it (as in like a bean bag). Have you ever relaxed in a bean bag yourself? If you have then you would notice how incredibly cosy and warm they are. Both my dogs have their Ambient beds. Expensive but sooooo worth it http://www.ambientlounge.com.au/bean-bags/gold-class-bean-bags/pet-lounger-bean-bags/pet-lounger-bean-bag.html

A few years ago in a place we used to live we'd often go walking in the bush. There was this one place that often had fresh dead horse bodies and lots of old ones, skulls, ect. As a horse lover I was horrified. We asked around about it and found out it was the local greyhound trainer. He fed them to his dogs and dumped the rest of the carcass in the bush. He didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with it and had been doing it for years. This case is probably similar, but on a bigger scale

Nope you wont get me to sign either. I've just sold a bunch of my Damara sheep off gumtree. As for the dog sales...well the bad breeders will just find some other shonky way of selling their pups.